From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Rhode Island

condensed from dt-2 chapter 2

soil health and humus are interrelated .HEALTH is the vitality of the soils living population and HUMUS is the manifestation of its activities.

HUMUS is produced by BACTERIA as they consume ORGANIC MATTER in your soil. it is for this reason we add composted leaves, manure,along with any ammendments as reccommended off our fall soil test every fall.

the LIVING PART of your soil is every bit as important to plant and pumpkin growth as its physical characteristics.
for this reason we AVOID harsh salt laden commercial fertalizers. these fertalizers will HARM the soils natural eco system and it ABILITY to produce.

the cycles that permit nutrients to flow from soil to plant/pumpkin are all interdependent and they work ONLY with the help of LIVING ORGANISMS that includes soil organisms from bacteria and fumgi, to protozoa and nemanodes, on up to earth worm populations.

whne at all possible build your soil the organic way. your plants and pumpkins will reward you for it ...pap

1/6/2010 8:45:38 AM

Western PA

Pap,
Very good to know. I have a concern with my beneficial friends in my soil. Last season I had some SVB's and I am sure that I did not get all of them. Some are probably over wintering in my soil.
I was planning on mixing in some grub-ex into my planting area but after reading your post I am not sure I should do that. I can only think that the grub-ex would do more harm than good.It would almost have to kill worms too.
Would I be better off just useing a good systemic to try to take care of them ?
Lee

2/19/2010 10:22:56 AM

Western PA

I moved my question to soil prep and analysis. Sorry.
Lee

2/21/2010 4:00:34 PM